KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Mayor Shayne Gallo says a multi-ward meeting being planned by members of the Common Council is a political stunt aimed at winning votes in the fall election.

The meeting is scheduled for noon Saturday at St. John's Episcopal Church on Albany Avenue. It's the brainchild of Alderwoman Elisa Ball, D-ward 6, and Alderman Thomas Hoffay, D-Ward 2, both of who have drawn Gallo's ire in the past.

"This is grandstanding politics," said Gallo, a fellow Democrat. "In one year, Hoffay, Dunn or Ball have done nothing for their wards. ... Again, why is this multi-ward meeting being held in an election year? I think it is just business as usual."

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Gallo said lawmakers should worry about their individual neighborhoods and leave citywide issues to him.

"It speaks to one question: What have they been doing for the past (two) years?" the mayor said.

The organizers see things differently.

"I don't think it is a bad idea," Carey said. "I think that only good can come out of the meeting."

Ball said previously that a multi-ward meeting is a good way to judge residents feeling about citywide issues.

"We recognize that while we were elected by the residents in our perspective wards, the decisions that we make at committee meetings and the votes we cast on the council floor really do affect all of the residents of the city of Kingston." Ball wrote in an email this week. "We think this is a good opportunity for the community to come together and meet the elected officials that represent them. This is also a great opportunity for each of us (on the council) ... to hear the concerns and opinions of the residents who live in areas outside of our wards."

Responding to Gallo's take on the meeting, Ball said the meeting is intended to better the city.

"The purpose of the meeting is to meet with our constituents with the goal of moving the city forward," Ball said in an email on Thursday.

Dunn's only response to Gallo's statements was: "People can come to the meeting and judge for themselves."

City Police Chief Egidio Tinti also is expected to speak at the meeting. Ulster County Executive Michael was invited but will send a representative in his place because of a scheduling conflict.